The Loire Valley is, of course celebrated for its châteaux. The banks of the river, and its tributaries the Cher and the Indre, are home to the finest examples of the castle builder's art; from the medieval fortresses of Amboise and Angers, through the renaissance masterpieces of Chenonceaux and Chambord to the fabulous gardens of Villandry.

The attractions of the region are not limited to stone and mortar. The riverbanks are lined with the vineyards of many fine wine domaines; sparkling Saumur, reds from Bourgueil and Chinon, Anjou rosés and Touraine whites.

The cuisine of the region makes use of the local specialties such as its many cheeses, the mushrooms of which the area is a major producer, and river fish like salmon and pike. Our routes take in all of the major châteaux; we also visit other attractions including Leonardo da Vinci's home and studios at Clos Lucé near Amboise, and 'troglodyte' houses carved out of the soft 'tufa' rock along the banks of the Loire.

The cycling is gentle, following riverbanks and meandering across country along quiet tree lined roads. This tour takes in the fabulous château of the Renaissance: Chenonceau, Chaumont, Chambord and Cheverney, the oft-overlooked medieval town of Loches, Leonardo da Vinci's manor house at Amboise, to name but a few.

The riding takes us through the ancient hunting forests of the kings, often on traffic-free well surfaced bike tracks. Along the way there is time to sample the extremely drinkable white wines of Touraine.